The invention provides a method for extracting a zinc element in low-grade lead-zinc ore. The device used in the extracting method comprises a reduction smelting device and a dust collecting device, which are mutually connected; the total content of a lead element and the zinc element in the low-grade lead-zinc ore is less than 20% by weight, and the zinc element and the lead element exit in a symbiotic manner of zinc silicate, zinc carbonate, zinc sulfide, lead carbonate and lead sulfide. The extracting method comprises the step of performing a reduction and smelting reaction on the low-gradelead-zinc ore, reducing fuel and white lead ore to obtain zinc oxide smoke and lead-containing slag. Compared with other raw materials for preparing metal zinc and metal lead, the method for extracting a zinc element in low-grade lead-zinc ore in the invention adopts low-grade lead-zinc ore as a raw material to prepare metal zinc and metal lead, and the preparation cost is lower. During the reduction smelting process, the zinc sulfide and lead oxide in the raw material have a redox reaction; and the zinc element in the low-grade lead-zinc ore is enriched and separated in a high-grade zinc oxide smoke manner, thereby effectively separating the zinc element and the lead element in the raw ore.